DYS Frequently Asked Questions

Educational Services

• Does the Division of Youth Services provide accredited educational services?

  Yes, the Division of Youth Services provides accredited education services. All teachers are fully certified by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

• What educational services are provided to youth?

  Youth attend school full-time, twelve months per year in classrooms with relatively small student:teacher ratios. Students receive instruction in the core subject areas of math, science, social studies and communication arts. Students may also receive credit in physical education, health, fine arts, and career/vocational education, and a wide variety of electives. The curriculum is based upon the Show-Me Standards developed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

• Are special education services provided?

  Each youth is thoroughly evaluated to determine individual education needs. Individual Education Plans (IEP) are developed for youth found to be eligible for special education services. Youth who need special education services receive assistance from certified special education teachers.

• How does the Safe Schools Act impact youth committed to the Division of Youth Services?

  Some youth committed to the Division of Youth Services are prohibited from returning to regular public school due to the Safe School Act. As a result, the division has increased its capacity to provide alternative education services to youth living in their home communities and has also increased its efforts to assist youth obtain a GED. Service coordinators have identified alternative education, training and employment options for some youth who are unable to return to public school.

• Can a youth graduate while in the Division of Youth Services?
  Youth earn credits needed for graduation based upon performance and attendance. The Division of Youth Services may graduate a student who meets the Missouri requirements for graduation. In addition, students transferring from the Division of Youth Services to another high school in Missouri, accredited by the State Board of Education, should have their grade placement and credits accepted as stated on the transcript.
• Does the Division of Youth Services offer vocational education?

  The Division of Youth Services continues to address the need for enhanced vocational education. At present, all youth in custody receiving educational services from the division must be enrolled, at the very least, in a career education class. In addition, youth may be employed and receive minimum wage compensation while learning important job skills. Recently, the Division of Youth Services received funding to build vocational buildings, purchase vocational equipment and programs to provide to youth, which are located at various programs throughout the state. These funds have increased the division’s capacity to better meet the vocational needs of youth in its care.

• What is the success rate for those youth who take the GED?

  In FY 2005 approximately 74% of youth in the Division of Youth Services who took the GED examination passed.